At the Thursday, July 19th, North Valley Area Planning Commission hearing the room at Mt. Gleason Middle School was full with overflow out in the lunch area, the parking was full and the hearing lasted for over 7 hours.
As you may have heard on the news, the commission voted in a 3-2 vote to grant Home Depot their appeal. This vote is in direct opposition to recommendations and evidence that it be declared a "Project" by Councilmember Wendy Greuel, the City Planning Department, Planning Director Gail Goldberg, the Department of Building and Safety, the No2Home Depot Campaign and your Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council. They did not hear our VOICE.
Dr. John Lett, Sr., the commissioner who made the motion to grant Home Depot their appeal was seconded by Merlita Evans Fortson. Richard Leyner also voted yes. Richard Corona and Victor Sampson voted to oppose the motion. The City Attorney asked commissioner Lett to identify his findings, but he was unable to state a clearly worded motion, laying the task of the commission's findings on the staff. The staff had recommended denial of the appeal so this made it very awkward for them. Commissioner Fortson said, after-the-fact "that it is a Project".
At 11 a.m. on Friday, our Councilmember Wendy Greuel gave an interview on Channel 4. She will assert jurisdiction under Charter Section 245 before the City Council which could reverse the decision of the North Valley Area Planning Commission.
The community of Sunland-Tujunga is united on this issue that Home Depot must obey the laws of the City of Los Angeles just like everyone else. We remain steadfast in our commitment to the Sunland-Tujunga community and our Councilmember Wendy Greuel.
--Cindy Cleghorn, Chairperson
Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council
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